Renn Woods, film, television, stage star, and vocalist, is in Pittsburgh to portray Grandma Sadie for the encore performance of The Awakening.
Written by Pittsburgh playwright Lorenzo Boone of Gold Pyramid Stage & Screen, the play is Boone’s commitment to creating prideful and deeply moving screenplays, stage plays, and teleplays about the African American experience. The Awakening addresses gang influence and peer pressure through the main character, Jason, and the difficult decisions he must make.
Recognized as a music prodigy at six years old, when Renn was ten, her vocal group, Sunday’s Child, toured Vietnam with Bob Hope. Boone expressed excitement, saying, “Having Renn play Grandma Sadie is a dream come true.” Among her credits, she appeared in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical The Wiz. Her rendition of “Soon As I Get Home” was memorable. Renn also advocates on issues of racial inequality and women’s rights.
While in Pittsburgh, in addition to her performance schedule, Renn will visit a community-based organization and church that serves at-risk youth. Parents, churches, and organizations are encouraged to bring their youth to the play. Boone feels the play and Renn’s inspiring talks “will give young people reasons to avoid the challenges that The Awakening’s main character, Jason, faced.” Ja’Sonta Roberts, The Awakening’s director, agrees. “Arts and cultural support initiatives provide creative and expressive outlets for at-risk and under-served urban populations. The Awakening is theater as a catalyst for social change,” she concludes.
“I want The Awakening to cause audience members to ponder: What can I do to make a difference in the world, despite what some rich and powerful people do to hold down the disenfranchised? We must release the generational trauma that fuels hopelessness. We must recognize that it takes a village and do our part for our kids’ sake,” Boone concludes. The message of The Awakening is powerful and thought-provoking, and it is our collective responsibility to heed its call for change.
TICKETS AND DETAILS
Gold Pyramid Stage & Screen’s production of The Awakening runs from September 20 to October 13 at the Carnegie Library Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue. For performance dates, times, and tickets, visit: https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/gold-pyramid-screen-and-stage-llc/66c63322081b41093e96af84
Categories: Arts and Ideas, Show Previews
Leave a Reply Cancel reply